Nursing in Practice May/June 2020 (issue 114) | Page 26

14 ANALYSIS THE STATE OF PRIMARY CARE 2019 Assessing views from primary care: before and after Covid-19 Asking Practice nurse or better term Primary Care of 617 res bette ro 30% of GPNs, including ANPs – have not asked for better pay or terms and conditions in their current role i sho Empowerment of nursing associates One section of the workforce that the virus seems to have empowered is nursing associates. Initially suggested in 2015 as a bridge between registered nurses and healthcare assistants, the role has been controversial. Healthcare professionals have been concerned that nursing associates would end up working above their expertise. The first nursing associates joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council in January last year and Cogora’s report showed there is reluctance among practices to hire them. Just 40% of practice nurses – 231 of 577 GP nurses, including ANPs – said they would hire a nursing associate. Some 14% said they would not and 46% did not know. Practice managers were also unsure about the role – 55%, or 348, of respondents answered ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’. Nursing associates spoke to Nursing in Practice about the report’s results and how their role has developed during the crisis. Ian Costello, a nursing associate who was redeployed from a forensic medium care facility to help care for older patients for Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation Trust, said nursing associates could help with activities such as physical observations in acute care settings. ‘Nursing associates are perfectly placed to support healthcare assistants and those returning to the NHS in this difficult time,’ he said. Alicia Langdown, a nursing associate at The Adam Practice in Dorset, said: ‘As Covid-19’s impact evolves, I felt excited to be able to register as a nursing associate last nursinginpractice.com May/June 2020 month. I feel c support the n extended skill Clare Mech said that havin during the pan range of care, But Wynfor Group Practic made her mo structu cu 40% of practice nurses, including ANPs – would be willing to hire a nursing associate